No Woman No Cry

International Women's Day on Monday 8 March was a tremendous gathering of women here in Bamenda, and all over Cameroon - wonderful to see!

Women band together in groups for a variety of purposes - women's empowerment, informal credit unions, farmers, churches, social groups. They wear a uniform for the group, and many make a special one with cloth printed specifically for International Women's Day each year. One really struck me - a group called the Women's Employment Empowerment Process had the slogan - Women Weep No More.

In Bamenda they marched in their groups along the main Commercial Avenue in the centre of town, past the grandstand. It reminded me of trade union marches in the UK - but all female. After the parade and speeches, came the partying! All the bars were crowded with groups of women, drinking beer.

In our hotel there was a marquee in the car park, with plush seating and tall stands of flowers, as if for a wedding, and the public spaces were thronged. Thankfully the music didn't go on all night - many people like to go home early as the taxis finish about 9pm.

On this one day, women don't have to work. Of course, the rest of the year belongs to the men!